Another Milestone...Graduation

Paris High School Graduation 2012

Let's Do This Thing!

A turning of time, milestones behind them

New roads ahead.

I am reminded of 1Corinthians 13:11

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

The students were charged by Judd Payne to know what they want and pursue it.

The world will knock you down and knock you down but if you want it badly enough,

you will keep getting up until you see your dreams become a reality.

There are no words to describe how I felt as I watched the caps

tossed into the air.

They did. It is done. The crowd leaves. You're not ready to close this door but as the last few walk off the field the lights will dim, doors will lock. Old chapters close and new ones

begin. They walk with a new confidence we close the night with Biblical confidence.

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

{{ 98 }} Prom

They are so cute all dressed up. I have to laugh when I see hair bands on both their arms...

now isn't that a great addition to prom?

{{ 95}} Travel

Part of me wants to go somewhere....I feel the itch to do something adventurous and fun. A year ago the boys and I should have been joining R. in Israel as missionaries. The door closed and here I sit. It's hard to just be......

{{ 87 }} Help

The helping hand...the one that picks you up...holds you strong...gently carries you...this family holds tight.

{{ 85 }} The End

The end brought a great time with my parents, sisters, neices and nephews.

{{ 81 }} The End

Mom came with Dad to his brother's funeral. The next morning she was headed over to see her sister.
The end came at 5:00 am...totally unexpected. Sometimes it sneaks up on you and you don't get to say good-bye.

{{ 79 }} The End

We have traditions in the South. I am grateful for that. As I have travelled to other 

parts of the U.S.  lately I find them lacking.

Difficult as it may be I'm glad the family rides together in a big shiny black car.

That we remain next to our cars while the casket is in place and wait

for the family to go next. We shake their hands, hug their necks and

let them know how much we also loved their "loved one". 

{{ 76 }} Butcher Block

When I was little I was drawn to this chunk of wood. It held a bit of mystery as it sat in the dingy dark corner behind the meat counter. It was the chopping block when my Grandad owned Hick's Grocery in the early 40's. He sold it to my mom who sold it to her sister. It was always a part of the store which made it a part of our daily lives. I learned to cut meat, weigh it and most of all...the funnest to me...wrap it in a white package from this block. It is buttery soft with age. So glad it was salvaged when the store burned.

{{ 68 }} PePaw's truck

This truck has been around a long time. When my parents moved Stef. inherited it. She used to be faded, chipped red but now sports black primer.
He named her Black Beauty and she's tough.
We've had lots of memories with this old thing.

{{ 42 }} Blackbirds

Four and twenty blackbirds.....
Brenda feeds the kitties on the front porch and with this snow looks like someone else was hungry too.
I'm sure the blackbirds are a nuisance to some but I miss them.
Used to love them covering the fields in the country and listening
to their swoosh as they flew away.

{{ 39 }} Valentine's Day

I remember the days with my sweet children when we made Valentines.

There would be glue, scissors, paper, doilies, crayons, glitter.

Miss the days of see ing what their little imagination would dream up.

{{ 36 }} Dishes

I had this saucers from my Granmother's dishes. I used these when I was  little girl and always liked the color and was intrigued by the pattern of the flowers. I finally put them on a plate hanger and hung them in my laundry room only to find the washer had jiggled the walls to the point that they crashed to the floor. I'm sad they are broken so I need to find some way to salvage the prettiness.

{{ 35 }} Air Force 1

Can't tell you how many times this box has "nearly" been thrown out.

I keep holding on. I know...you're laughing.

A few years ago, when President George W. was in office we were 

commissioned with a job.

We lived in a tiny community out in the country; my kids would say "Nowhere".

Our engraving business received a box of tools to be engraved especially

for Air Force 1. They would ride on the plane with the President in case

anything went wrong and they needed to work in flight.

I was honored to say the least. So from tiny little T-town to Air Force 1 they went.

I just can't seem to throw out the box

so I keep packing things in it and putting it back in storage.

{{ 33 }} Ground Hog Day

My almost 5'2" self looks long. No, this wasn't taken today. I daren't go out much. It's bitterly cold to the point that my car was a little freaked out and just said  ICE. No kidding. It's 12 degrees with a windchill of -2.
When I was little I played "step on shadow". I still like my shadow.
Madison visited in Oct. and as she pranced around the camp fire one night she suddenly stopped and said, "My shadow finds me watching the stars." She had seen Peter Pan; her imagination had taken off.
It was one of those magical toddler moments; I wanted to bottle it up andkeep it to take out when I am missing her so badly.
Do shadows captivate you?
Does it carry you back to a time when all was simple?